Weather safety field guide

    Winter Weather Preparedness and Safety

    Understand watches, warnings, and advisories, prepare the home and vehicle before the storm, and know what to do if travel becomes unsafe or heat and power fail.

    Originally published November 19, 2017Updated August 6, 2026By the WXObservation team
    Winter weather risk depends on more than snowfall totals. Ice, wind, visibility, temperature, power loss, road treatment, terrain, and local experience can turn a modest-looking forecast into a serious hazard.
    Quick answer A watch means significant winter weather is possible and it is time to prepare. A warning means hazardous winter weather is expected or occurring and you should take action. An advisory means winter conditions may not reach local warning criteria but can still make travel difficult. Follow the exact product from your local National Weather Service office because snow and ice thresholds vary by location.
    Resident clearing snow from a home walkway before conditions worsen
    Winter preparedness includes the home, communications, heat, medication, and travel decisions—not only a car kit.

    Winter watch vs. warning vs. advisory

    AlertMeaningYour action
    Winter Storm WatchConditions are favorable for a significant snow, sleet, ice, or mixed eventAdjust plans, charge devices, and finish supplies
    Winter Storm WarningHazardous winter weather is expected or occurringAvoid unnecessary travel and follow local instructions
    Winter Weather AdvisorySnow, ice, sleet, or blowing snow may cause travel difficulty below warning criteriaAllow extra time and be prepared for slick roads
    Blizzard WarningStrong wind plus falling or blowing snow creates very low visibility for at least three hoursDo not travel
    The NWS winter alert guide notes that criteria are local. The snowfall amount that triggers a warning in the Southeast can be lower than in the Northern Plains.

    Prepare before the storm

    Home and communication checklist

    • Receive alerts from more than one path, including a NOAA Weather Radio.
    • Charge phones and backup batteries.
    • Keep flashlights, medications, first aid, food, water, and pet supplies ready.
    • Test smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms.
    • Use generators only outdoors and away from openings, never in a garage.
    • Know how to shut off water if a pipe breaks.
    Dress in several loose layers that can be adjusted. The inner layer should move moisture away from skin, the insulating layer should trap air, and the outer layer should block wind and precipitation. Keep head, hands, feet, and exposed skin protected.

    Prepare for a power outage and loss of heat

    Ice and heavy snow can damage trees and power lines, while extreme demand can strain local systems. Before the storm, identify which household needs depend on electricity: medical equipment, refrigerated medicine, well pumps, electric heat, garage doors, internet service, and powered mobility devices. Charge backup batteries, fill medically necessary prescriptions, and arrange an alternate heated location for anyone whose health cannot tolerate a prolonged outage.Carbon monoxide is the most important heating hazard to plan around. Test battery-backed carbon-monoxide alarms on every level. Operate portable generators outdoors only, well away from doors, windows, and vents, and direct exhaust away from the building. Never run a generator in a garage, even with the door open. Do not use a gas oven or range to heat the home, and do not operate charcoal grills, camp stoves, or other fuel-burning outdoor equipment indoors.
    ProblemPrepare before the stormSafe response
    Indoor temperature fallingChoose one insulated room and gather layers, blankets, and sleeping bagsClose unused rooms, block drafts safely, and relocate before cold becomes a medical threat
    Pipes at riskLocate the main shutoff and insulate exposed plumbingFollow local guidance for faucets and shut off water if a pipe breaks
    Refrigerated medicineAsk the pharmacist about temperature limits and backup storageUse the approved plan. Do not guess whether compromised medicine is safe
    Communication outageWrite down contacts and receive alerts by radio as well as phoneConserve batteries and use texts when networks are congested
    If heat fails, keep dry and wear loose layers rather than sweating in one heavy garment. Check on older adults, infants, neighbors living alone, and people with medical or mobility needs. Leave for a warming center, hotel, or trusted home while roads are still passable if the building cannot remain safely warm. Local emergency management and utilities should be the source for outage restoration, warming-center locations, and evacuation instructions.Preserve food safely during an outage by keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed and following current public-health guidance for time and temperature limits. A cold porch or snowbank is not controlled refrigeration: outdoor temperatures change, sunlight warms containers, and animals or contamination can reach food. When safety is uncertain, use a food thermometer and the guidance of the local health department rather than tasting the food.

    Decide whether to travel

    Start with your local forecast and state or local 511 service. Consider timing, road-treatment status, expected visibility, temperatures near freezing, and whether conditions worsen before the return trip. If officials advise against travel, a capable vehicle is not a reason to ignore the guidance.Before a necessary trip, clear all snow and ice from the vehicle, fill washer fluid rated for the temperature, check tires, lights, wipers, and fuel, share the route and expected arrival, and carry a winter car emergency kit.

    If you become stranded in winter

    1. Stay with the vehicle. It provides shelter and is easier for rescuers to find.
    2. Call for help and share location. Conserve the phone after contact.
    3. Keep the exhaust pipe clear. Snow blockage can allow carbon monoxide to enter.
    4. Run the engine intermittently. NWS guidance uses about ten minutes each hour, with a window opened slightly for fresh air.
    5. Make the vehicle visible. Use hazard markers and an interior light when appropriate.
    6. Move enough to maintain circulation. Avoid exhausting effort and sweating.
    Snow-covered car safely stopped off a winter road with a bright signal marker
    If a vehicle becomes stranded, stay with it, make it visible, keep the exhaust clear, and call for help rather than walking into poor visibility.

    Recognize frostbite and hypothermia

    Frostbite may cause numbness, pale or waxy skin, and loss of feeling. Hypothermia signs include persistent shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, and poor coordination. Move the person to warmth, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body gradually, and seek emergency care. Do not rub frostbitten tissue or apply direct high heat.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is an advisory safe to ignore?The answer is no. It means conditions can still create travel problems even when local warning criteria are not met.
    What is the difference between a winter storm and a blizzard?A blizzard is defined by wind and visibility, not a required snowfall total. Blowing existing snow can contribute to blizzard conditions.
    Should I warm a stranded car continuously?The answer is no. Conserve fuel, keep the exhaust clear, allow fresh air, and follow emergency instructions. Carbon monoxide is a critical risk.

    Sources

    Keep learning

    Build a winter car kit Prioritize shelter, communication, visibility, traction, and vehicle recovery.Measure snowfall correctly Separate new snowfall, snow depth, and liquid equivalent.